> show. ...any general or specific suggestions? Electricity has =20
> already been taken care of =96 I just need to bring an extension cord.
>
>
> Keba
>
>

Have to disagree with Larry on this one. I haven't taken credit cards =20=

for over ten years. When they ask if I take credit cards I always =20
say, "No, but I'll be glad to take your personal check and if you =20
don't have a check with you I'll just write up a bill and you can =20
send it to me when you get home." Usually they pull out the cash. If =20
not they are always pleased and amazed that I would trust them. I =20
just did a show this weekend. I have about $1000 in "sending checks". =20=

All of them were in by today. Just get a triplicate receipt book, =20
write your name and address at the very top on each white copy. When =20
you have someone sending a check have them fill out their name =20
address and phone, total it up, write sending check on the bottom and =20=

have them sign it underneath. If you don't get the check in 30 days, =20
make a copy of your yellow copy, write on it "did you forget us" and =20
send it to them. sometimes people do loose their copy. In ten years =20
I've had trouble collecting only once. After they failed to answer my =20=

calls and letters I contacted Judge Judy. A week later I had my =20
check. I've sent people away with pairs of lamps that cost $200 =20
each. They always send the check. That's a hell of a lot of charge =20
fees not paid out over ten years.

As for the cash box. NO!!!! Get a fanny pack and keep the money on =20
your body. Put large bills in one pocket of it and small bills in the =20=

other. I can't tell you how many times I seen and artist get that =20
cash box stolen.

Have =
to disagree with Larry on this one. I haven't taken credit cards for =
over ten years. When they ask if I take credit cards I always say, "No, =
but I'll be glad to take your personal check and if you don't have a =
check with you I'll just write up a bill and you can send it to me when =
you get home." Usually they pull out the cash. If not they are always =
pleased and amazed that I would trust them. =A0I just did a show this =
weekend. I have about $1000 in "sending checks". All of them were in by =
today. =A0Just get a triplicate receipt book, write your name and =
address at the very top on each white copy. When you have someone =
sending a check have them fill out their name address and phone, total =
it up, write sending check on the bottom and have them sign it =
underneath. If you don't get the check in 30 days, make a copy of your =
yellow copy, write on it "did you forget us" and send it to them. =
sometimes people do loose their copy. In ten years I've had trouble =
collecting only once. After they failed to answer my calls and letters I =
contacted Judge Judy. A week later I had my check. =A0I've sent people =
away with pairs of lamps that cost $200 each. They always send the =
check. That's a hell of a lot of charge fees not paid out over ten =
years.

As for the cash box. NO!!!! Get a fanny =
pack and keep the money on your body. Put large bills in one pocket of =
it and small bills in the other. I can't tell you how many times I seen =
and artist get that cash box =
stolen.=A0

Kathi

=

--Apple-Mail-2--984912129--

Richard Walker on wed 21 may 08

I have demo'd at a number of shows and it has alway been a very=20
pleasent experience. I have always taken bucket fr water, a table to=20
set throw pieces on to take home to dry after the show, and plastic to=20
cover them during, along with all the other necessary tools of the=20
trade. Put on a big smile, encourage questions, talk to the people and=20
explain what you are doing, an above all have fun.

Dick
Muddy Duck Pottery

On Wed, May 21, 2008 at 7:33 AM, Keba M Hitzeman wrote:

Just have to share my excitement with y=E2=80=99all =E2=80=93 I=E2=80=99ve =
been accepted into my=20
first juried show!!! It=E2=80=99s at the Americana festival in Centerville=
Ohio=20
on July 4 th =E2=80=93 I=E2=80=99m in the =E2=80=9CArt with Attitude=E2=80=
=9D show. The focus this year=20
is on emerging artists, so they knocked a lot off of the entry fee/jury=20
fee for us poor beginners. The Art with Attitude area is also going to=20
be in a separate section from the general arts and crafts area=E2=80=A6they=
want=20
it to be more of a fine arts thing.

I will also be taking my wheel to demo during the show (yes, I have=20
someone lined up to mind the cash box!) =E2=80=93 any general or specific=
=20
suggestions? Electricity has already been taken care of =E2=80=93 I just n=
eed=20
to bring an extension cord.

TERSPACING=3D"0" KERNING=3D"0"> I have demo'd at a number of shows and=
it has alway been a very pleasent experience. I have always taken&nb=
sp; bucket fr water, a table to set throw pieces on to take home to dry aft=
er the show, and plastic to cover them during, along with all the other nec=
essary tools of the trade. Put on a big smile, encourage questions, t=
alk to the people and explain what you are doing, an above all have fun.ONT>

OLOR=3D"#000000" LETTERSPACING=3D"0" KERNING=3D"0">Just have to share my ex=
citement with y=E2=80=99all =E2=80=93 I=E2=80=99ve been accepted into my fi=
rst juried show!!! It=E2=80=99s at the Americana festival in Centervi=
lle Ohio on July 4 th =E2=80=93 I=E2=80=99m in the =E2=80=9CArt with Attitu=
de=E2=80=9D show. The focus this year is on emerging artists, so they=
knocked a lot off of the entry fee/jury fee for us poor beginners. T=
he Art with Attitude area is also going to be in a separate section from th=
e general arts and crafts area=E2=80=A6they want it to be more of a fine ar=
ts thing.

COLOR=3D"#000000" LETTERSPACING=3D"0" KERNING=3D"0">

V ALIGN=3D"LEFT">ACING=3D"0" KERNING=3D"0">I will also be taking my wheel to demo during the=
show (yes, I have someone lined up to mind the cash box!) =E2=80=93 any ge=
neral or specific suggestions? Electricity has already been taken car=
e of =E2=80=93 I just need to bring an extension cord.

Keba M Hitzeman on wed 21 may 08

Just have to share my excitement with y'all - I've been accepted into my
first juried show!!! It's at the Americana festival in Centerville Ohio on
July 4th - I'm in the "Art with Attitude" show. The focus this year is on
emerging artists, so they knocked a lot off of the entry fee/jury fee for us
poor beginners. The Art with Attitude area is also going to be in a
separate section from the general arts and crafts area.they want it to be
more of a fine arts thing.

I will also be taking my wheel to demo during the show (yes, I have someone
lined up to mind the cash box!) - any general or specific suggestions?
Electricity has already been taken care of - I just need to bring an
extension cord.

style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Just have to share my excitement with y’all =
– I’ve
been accepted into my first juried show!!! It’s at the =
w:st=3D"on">Americana festival in w:st=3D"on">w:st=3D"on">Centervillew:st=3D"on">Ohioon July 4th – I’m in the “Art with =
Attitude”
show. The focus this year is on emerging artists, so they knocked =
a lot
off of the entry fee/jury fee for us poor beginners. The Art with
Attitude area is also going to be in a separate section from the general =
arts
and crafts area…they want it to be more of a fine arts =
thing.

style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>

style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I will also be taking my wheel to demo during the =
show (yes,
I have someone lined up to mind the cash box!) – any general or =
specific
suggestions? Electricity has already been taken care of – I =
just
need to bring an extension cord.

Larry Kruzan on wed 21 may 08

Congratulations! Be ready to take credit cards! Right now half of my sales are on plastic.

Larry Kruzan
Lost Creek Pottery
www.lostcreekpottery.com

-------------- Original message --------------
From: Keba M Hitzeman

Just have to share my excitement with y'all - I've been accepted into my first juried show!!! It's at the Americana festival in Centerville Ohio on July 4th - I'm in the "Art with Attitude" show. The focus this year is on emerging artists, so they knocked a lot off of the entry fee/jury fee for us poor beginners. The Art with Attitude area is also going to be in a separate section from the general arts and crafts area...they want it to be more of a fine arts thing.

I will also be taking my wheel to demo during the show (yes, I have someone lined up to mind the cash box!) - any general or specific suggestions? Electricity has already been taken care of - I just need to bring an extension cord.

Just have to share my excitement with y'all - I've been accepted into my first juried show!!! It's at the Americana festival in CentervilleOhio on July 4th - I'm in the "Art with Attitude" show. The focus this year is on emerging artists, so they knocked a lot off of the entry fee/jury fee for us poor beginners. The Art with Attitude area is also going to be in a separate section from the general arts and crafts area...they want it to be more of a fine arts thing.

I will also be taking my wheel to demo during the show (yes, I have someone lined up to mind the cash box!) - any general or specific suggestions? Electricity has already been taken care of - I just need to bring an extension cord.

Just have to share my excitement with y=92all =96 I=92ve been accepted into=
my first juried show!!! It=92s at the Americana festival in Centerville O=
hio on July 4th =96 I=92m in the =93Art with Attitude=94 show. The focus t=
his year is on emerging artists, so they knocked a lot off of the entry fee=
/jury fee for us poor beginners. The Art with Attitude area is also going =
to be in a separate section from the general arts and crafts area=85they wa=
nt it to be more of a fine arts thing.
=20
I will also be taking my wheel to demo during the show (yes, I have someone=
lined up to mind the cash box!) =96 any general or specific suggestions? =
Electricity has already been taken care of =96 I just need to bring an exte=
nsion cord.
=20
=20
Keba
=20
=20
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
=20
Keba Hitzeman
Dayton OH
=20
Spanish - http://keba.hitzeman.com
Clay - http://yellowroomarts.blogspot.com, http://yellowroomarts.etsy.com
Coffee - coffee@enigma22.com
=20
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand =
ready to do violence on their behalf. George Orwell
=20
=20
=20
=20
_________________________________________________________________
E-mail for the greater good. Join the i=92m Initiative from Microsoft.
http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/Join/Default.aspx?source=3DEML_WL_ GreaterG=
ood=

E: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Just have to share my excitement with y=92all =
=96 I=92ve been accepted into my first juried show!!! It=92s at the A=
mericana festival in Centerville Ohio on July 4th =96 I=92m in t=
he =93Art with Attitude=94 show. The focus this year is on emerging a=
rtists, so they knocked a lot off of the entry fee/jury fee for us poor beg=
inners. The Art with Attitude area is also going to be in a separate =
section from the general arts and crafts area=85they want it to be more of =
a fine arts thing.

E: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">

E: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I will also be taking my wheel to demo during =
the show (yes, I have someone lined up to mind the cash box!) =96 any gener=
al or specific suggestions? Electricity has already been taken care o=
f =96 I just need to bring an extension cord.

Larry Kruzan on thu 22 may 08

Have to disagree with Larry on this one. I haven't taken credit cards =
for
over ten years. When they ask if I take credit cards I always say, "No, =
but
I'll be glad to take your personal check and if you don't have a check =
with
you I'll just write up a bill and you can send it to me when you get =
home."=20

=20

=20

Kathy I am so glad this has worked for you and I think it generally =
would be
OK =96 BUT =96 it only takes once on a big sale to really put the damper =
in.
Credit card fees are one of my smallest costs in doing business at shows =
and
in my store. I most likely lose more to shoplifting. LOTS of times =
when
folks find out I take CC they spend more =96 and these are folks that I =
might
trust but there are others I would not. =20

=20

I do follow a couple rules =96 any sale on plastic must be over $20, any =
sale
under $100 I add a $3 fee, I only take MC and Visa (AMX and Discover can
keep their fees), I will take a check for any amount with ID. A couple
weeks ago was the first time I have ever refused to accept a check, I =
don=92t
need to go into it but it was oblivious that the check would be no good =
and
for a $12 sale it was not worth the bank fees. In the end she paid with
cash she borrowed from a friend who she promised to pay back in two =
weeks.
WOW! My current average CC sale is $145.

=20

I=92m not saying there have not been times when I=92ve let folks take =
things
home =93on trial=94 and come back to pay afterwards =96 I do that a lot, =
but I
really size them up first. These days there are not many places you can
show that extend real =93personal credit=94 to strangers and really =
don=92t feel
like I should either. =20

=20

Cost varies and there are lots of plans, some with equipment some use =
what
you have. Some use your own computer with their software. My service =
costs
me one half my phone bill or one quarter of my electric bill, or one =
hundred
pounds of clay per month. Or 1 =BD coffee cups. LOL I sleep very well
knowing that in two days the cash will be in the bank.

Have to disagree with Larry on this one. I haven't =
taken
credit cards for over ten years. When they ask if I take credit cards I =
always
say, "No, but I'll be glad to take your personal check and if you =
don't
have a check with you I'll just write up a bill and you can send it to =
me when
you get home."

style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Kathy I am so glad this has worked for you and I think it
generally would be OK – BUT – it only takes once on a big =
sale to
really put the damper in.=A0 Credit card fees are one of my smallest =
costs in
doing business at shows and in my store.=A0 I most likely lose more to
shoplifting.=A0 LOTS of times when folks find out I take CC they spend =
more –
and these are folks that I might trust but there are others I would =
not.=A0

style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>I do follow a couple rules – any sale on plastic =
must be
over $20, any sale under $100 I add a $3 fee, I only take MC and Visa =
(AMX and
Discover can keep their fees), I will take a check for any amount with =
ID.=A0 A
couple weeks ago was the first time I have ever refused to accept a =
check, I
don’t need to go into it but it was oblivious that the check would =
be no
good and for a $12 sale it was not worth the bank fees.=A0 In the end =
she paid
with cash she borrowed from a friend who she promised to pay back in two
weeks.=A0 WOW!=A0 My current average CC sale is =
$145.

style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>I’m not saying there have not been times when =
I’ve
let folks take things home “on trial” and come back to pay
afterwards – I do that a lot, but I really size them up first.=A0 =
These
days there are not many places you can show that extend real =
“personal
credit” to strangers and really don’t feel like I should =
either.=A0

style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Cost varies and there are lots of plans, some with =
equipment
some use what you have.=A0 Some use your own computer with their =
software.=A0 My
service costs me one half my phone bill or one quarter of my electric =
bill, or
one hundred pounds of clay per month.=A0 Or 1 =BD coffee cups. LOL=A0 I =
sleep very
well knowing that in two days the cash will be in the =
bank.

Lois Ruben Aronow on thu 22 may 08

I must agree with Larry. I know for a fact that I would have lost more =
than
a few sales had I not taken credit cards. Maybe it's a big-city =
mentality.
People would think I was an insane person if I gave them work and asked =
them
to pay later. Seriously. And I would feel the same way - I would NEVER
take anything without paying for it first. At a show years ago, someone
offered the work to me (they didn't take cards or checks) and I declined =
the
work. I was just afraid I'd forget, or misplace the address, or =
something.
I prefer to have my transaction finished at the same time it takes =
place,
regardless of which side of the transaction I am on.
=20
I pay $12 a month to take cards, and my rates are good - reasonable, =
even.
One day last year at Baltimore I got NO CASH at all. Credit cards =
galore,
thousands of dollars. I had the money in the bank in 3 days, and didn't
have to bite my nails wondering if anyone "forgot" to send payment. And
that's not to mention the time and money you would spend following up on
payments. Just not worth it.
=20
this year I am doing a local "flea market" once a month. One of the =
days,
my sales rivaled those at a high-end craft show. The reason? CREDIT =
CARDS.
If people can charge it, they will not only buy it, but will more times =
than
not take 2.
=20
With debit cards becoming more prevalent, cash will disappear. I know =
loads
of people who carry very, very little cash - including myself. =20
=20
If you are running a business, it's important to serve your customers.
=20
=20

Have to disagree with Larry on this one. I haven't taken credit cards =
for
over ten years. When they ask if I take credit cards I always say, "No, =
but
I'll be glad to take your personal check and if you don't have a check =
with
you I'll just write up a bill and you can send it to me when you get =
home."=20

=20

=20

Kathy I am so glad this has worked for you and I think it generally =
would be
OK =96 BUT =96 it only takes once on a big sale to really put the damper =
in.
Credit card fees are one of my smallest costs in doing business at shows =
and
in my store. I most likely lose more to shoplifting. LOTS of times =
when
folks find out I take CC they spend more =96 and these are folks that I =
might
trust but there are others I would not. =20

=20

I do follow a couple rules =96 any sale on plastic must be over $20, any =
sale
under $100 I add a $3 fee, I only take MC and Visa (AMX and Discover can
keep their fees), I will take a check for any amount with ID. A couple
weeks ago was the first time I have ever refused to accept a check, I =
don=92t
need to go into it but it was oblivious that the check would be no good =
and
for a $12 sale it was not worth the bank fees. In the end she paid with
cash she borrowed from a friend who she promised to pay back in two =
weeks.
WOW! My current average CC sale is $145.

=20

I=92m not saying there have not been times when I=92ve let folks take =
things
home =93on trial=94 and come back to pay afterwards =96 I do that a lot, =
but I
really size them up first. These days there are not many places you can
show that extend real =93personal credit=94 to strangers and really =
don=92t feel
like I should either. =20

=20

Cost varies and there are lots of plans, some with equipment some use =
what
you have. Some use your own computer with their software. My service =
costs
me one half my phone bill or one quarter of my electric bill, or one =
hundred
pounds of clay per month. Or 1 =BD coffee cups. LOL I sleep very well
knowing that in two days the cash will be in the bank.

face=3DArial=20
color=3D#0000ff size=3D2>I must agree with Larry. I know for =
a fact that=20
I would have lost more than a few sales had I not taken credit =
cards. =20
Maybe it's a big-city mentality. People would think I was an =
insane person=20
if I gave them work and asked them to pay later. Seriously. =
And I=20
would feel the same way - I would NEVER take anything without paying for =
it=20
first. At a show years ago, someone offered the work to me (they =
didn't=20
take cards or checks) and I declined the work. I was just afraid =
I'd=20
forget, or misplace the address, or something. I prefer to have my =

transaction finished at the same time it takes place, regardless of =
which side=20
of the transaction I am on.

size=3D2>

size=3D2>I pay=20
$12 a month to take cards, and my rates are good - reasonable, =
even. One=20
day last year at Baltimore I got NO CASH at all. Credit cards =
galore,=20
thousands of dollars. I had the money in the bank in 3 days, and =
didn't=20
have to bite my nails wondering if anyone "forgot" to send =
payment. And=20
that's not to mention the time and money you would spend following up on =

payments. Just not worth it.

size=3D2>

size=3D2>this=20
year I am doing a local "flea market" once a month. One of the =
days, my=20
sales rivaled those at a high-end craft show. The reason? =
CREDIT=20
CARDS. If people can charge it, they will not only buy it, but =
will more=20
times than not take 2.

Have to disagree with Larry on this one. I =
haven't taken=20
credit cards for over ten years. When they ask if I take credit cards =
I always=20
say, "No, but I'll be glad to take your personal check and if you =
don't have a=20
check with you I'll just write up a bill and you can send it to me =
when you=20
get home."

style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: =
'Calibri','sans-serif'">Kathy=20
I am so glad this has worked for you and I think it generally would be =
OK =96=20
BUT =96 it only takes once on a big sale to really put the damper =
in. =20
Credit card fees are one of my smallest costs in doing business at =
shows and=20
in my store. I most likely lose more to shoplifting. LOTS =
of times=20
when folks find out I take CC they spend more =96 and these are folks =
that I=20
might trust but there are others I would not. =

style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: =
'Calibri','sans-serif'">I=20
do follow a couple rules =96 any sale on plastic must be over $20, any =
sale=20
under $100 I add a $3 fee, I only take MC and Visa (AMX and Discover =
can keep=20
their fees), I will take a check for any amount with ID. A =
couple weeks=20
ago was the first time I have ever refused to accept a check, I =
don=92t need to=20
go into it but it was oblivious that the check would be no good and =
for a $12=20
sale it was not worth the bank fees. In the end she paid with =
cash she=20
borrowed from a friend who she promised to pay back in two =
weeks. =20
WOW! My current average CC sale is $145.

style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: =
'Calibri','sans-serif'">I=92m=20
not saying there have not been times when I=92ve let folks take things =
home =93on=20
trial=94 and come back to pay afterwards =96 I do that a lot, but I =
really size=20
them up first. These days there are not many places you can show =
that=20
extend real =93personal credit=94 to strangers and really don=92t feel =
like I should=20
either.

style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: =
'Calibri','sans-serif'">Cost=20
varies and there are lots of plans, some with equipment some use what =
you=20
have. Some use your own computer with their software. My =
service=20
costs me one half my phone bill or one quarter of my electric bill, or =
one=20
hundred pounds of clay per month. Or 1 =BD coffee cups. =
LOL I sleep=20
very well knowing that in two days the cash will be in the=20
bank.

Keba M Hitzeman on thu 22 may 08

On the whole credit card thing, I=92m not really in a position to invest =
in
any equipment or the like, at least right now. I would like to have the
ability to take credit cards, but may just have to suffer through until =
I am
better established. I=92m amazed that the =93write up a bill=94 works =
for you
Kathy =96 I don=92t know if I could trust people that much! :-)

=20

I may look into the different set-ups for taking credit cards and see if =
I
can find something reasonable. Of course I will be checking the =
archives on
that too.

Have to disagree with Larry on this one. I haven't taken credit cards =
for
over ten years. When they ask if I take credit cards I always say, "No, =
but
I'll be glad to take your personal check and if you don't have a check =
with
you I'll just write up a bill and you can send it to me when you get =
home."=20

=20

=20

Kathy I am so glad this has worked for you and I think it generally =
would be
OK =96 BUT =96 it only takes once on a big sale to really put the damper =
in.
Credit card fees are one of my smallest costs in doing business at shows =
and
in my store. I most likely lose more to shoplifting. LOTS of times =
when
folks find out I take CC they spend more =96 and these are folks that I =
might
trust but there are others I would not. =20

=20

I do follow a couple rules =96 any sale on plastic must be over $20, any =
sale
under $100 I add a $3 fee, I only take MC and Visa (AMX and Discover can
keep their fees), I will take a check for any amount with ID. A couple
weeks ago was the first time I have ever refused to accept a check, I =
don=92t
need to go into it but it was oblivious that the check would be no good =
and
for a $12 sale it was not worth the bank fees. In the end she paid with
cash she borrowed from a friend who she promised to pay back in two =
weeks.
WOW! My current average CC sale is $145.

=20

I=92m not saying there have not been times when I=92ve let folks take =
things
home =93on trial=94 and come back to pay afterwards =96 I do that a lot, =
but I
really size them up first. These days there are not many places you can
show that extend real =93personal credit=94 to strangers and really =
don=92t feel
like I should either. =20

=20

Cost varies and there are lots of plans, some with equipment some use =
what
you have. Some use your own computer with their software. My service =
costs
me one half my phone bill or one quarter of my electric bill, or one =
hundred
pounds of clay per month. Or 1 =BD coffee cups. LOL I sleep very well
knowing that in two days the cash will be in the bank.

style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>On the whole credit card thing, =
I’m
not really in a position to invest in any equipment or the like, at =
least right
now.=A0 I would like to have the ability to take credit cards, but may =
just have
to suffer through until I am better established.=A0 I’m amazed =
that the “write
up a bill” works for you Kathy – I don’t know if I =
could
trust people that much!=A0 face=3DWingdings>style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:navy'>Jt>size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial>style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>

style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>

style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I may look into the different =
set-ups for
taking credit cards and see if I can find something reasonable.=A0 Of =
course I
will be checking the archives on that too.

face=3DArial>style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>People sleep =
peaceably in
their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on =
their
behalf.style=3D'font-family:
Arial;color:navy'>

style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt'>Have to disagree with Larry on this one. I haven't taken credit =
cards
for over ten years. When they ask if I take credit cards I always say,
"No, but I'll be glad to take your personal check and if you don't =
have a
check with you I'll just write up a bill and you can send it to me when =
you get
home."

face=3DCalibri>style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Kathy I am =
so glad
this has worked for you and I think it generally would be OK – BUT
– it only takes once on a big sale to really put the damper =
in.
Credit card fees are one of my smallest costs in doing business at shows =
and in
my store. I most likely lose more to shoplifting. LOTS of =
times
when folks find out I take CC they spend more – and these are =
folks that
I might trust but there are others I would not. =

face=3DCalibri>style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>I do follow =
a couple
rules – any sale on plastic must be over $20, any sale under $100 =
I add a
$3 fee, I only take MC and Visa (AMX and Discover can keep their fees), =
I will
take a check for any amount with ID. A couple weeks ago was the =
first
time I have ever refused to accept a check, I don’t need to go =
into it
but it was oblivious that the check would be no good and for a $12 sale =
it was
not worth the bank fees. In the end she paid with cash she =
borrowed from
a friend who she promised to pay back in two weeks. WOW! My =
current
average CC sale is $145.

face=3DCalibri>style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>I’m =
not saying
there have not been times when I’ve let folks take things home =
“on
trial” and come back to pay afterwards – I do that a lot, =
but I
really size them up first. These days there are not many places =
you can
show that extend real “personal credit” to strangers and =
really
don’t feel like I should either. =

face=3DCalibri>style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Cost varies =
and
there are lots of plans, some with equipment some use what you =
have. Some
use your own computer with their software. My service costs me one =
half
my phone bill or one quarter of my electric bill, or one hundred pounds =
of clay
per month. Or 1 =BD coffee cups. LOL I sleep very well =
knowing that
in two days the cash will be in the bank.

On the whole credit card thing, I’m not really in a position to invest in any equipment or the like, at least right now. I would like to have the ability to take credit cards, but may just have to suffer through until I am better established. I’m amazed that the “write up a bill” works for you Kathy – I don’t know if I could trust people that much! J

I may look into the different set-ups for taking credit cards and see if I can find something reasonable. Of course I will be checking the archives on that too.

Have to disagree with Larry on this one. I haven't taken credit cards for over ten years. When they ask if I take credit cards I always say, "No, but I'll be glad to take your personal check and if you don't have a check with you I'll just write up a bill and you can send it to me when you get home."

Kathy I am so glad this has worked for you and I think it generally would be OK – BUT – it only takes once on a big sale to really put the damper in. Credit card fees are one of my smallest costs in doing business at shows and in my store. I most likely lose more to shoplifting. LOTS of times when folks find out I take CC they spend more – and these are folks that I might trust but there are others I would not.

I do follow a couple rules – any sale on plastic must be over $20, any sale under $100 I add a $3 fee, I only take MC and Visa (AMX and Discover can keep their fees), I will take a check for any amount with ID. A couple weeks ago was the first time I have ever refused to accept a check, I don’t need to go into it but it was oblivious that the check would be no good and for a $12 sale it was not worth the bank fees. In the end she paid with cash she borrowed from a friend who she promised to pay back in two weeks. WOW! My current average CC sale is $145.

I’m not saying there have not been times when I’ve let folks take things home “on trial” and come back to pay afterwards – I do that a lot, but I really size them up first. These days there are not many places you can show that extend real “personal credit” to strangers and really don’t feel like I should either.

Cost varies and there are lots of plans, some with equipment some use what you have. Some use your own computer with their software. My service costs me one half my phone bill or one quarter of my electric bill, or one hundred pounds of clay per month. Or 1 ½ coffee cups. LOL I sleep very well knowing that in two days the cash will be in the bank.

On the whole credit card thing, I’m not really in a position to invest in any equipment or the like, at least right now. I would like to have the ability to take credit cards, but may just have to suffer through until I am better established. I’m amazed that the “write up a bill” works for you Kathy – I don’t know if I could trust people that much! J

I may look into the different set-ups for taking credit cards and see if I can find something reasonable. Of course I will be checking the archives on that too.

Have to disagree with Larry on this one. I haven't taken credit cards for over ten years. When they ask if I take credit cards I always say, "No, but I'll be glad to take your personal check and if you don't have a check with you I'll just write up a bill and you can send it to me when you get home."

Kathy I am so glad this has worked for you and I think it generally would be OK – BUT – it only takes once on a big sale to really put the damper in. Credit card fees are one of my smallest costs in doing business at shows and in my store. I most likely lose more to shoplifting. LOTS of times when folks find out I take CC they spend more – and these are folks that I might trust but there are others I would not.

I do follow a couple rules – any sale on plastic must be over $20, any sale under $100 I add a $3 fee, I only take MC and Visa (AMX and Discover can keep their fees), I will take a check for any amount with ID. A couple weeks ago was the first time I have ever refused to accept a check, I don’t need to go into it but it was oblivious that the check would be no good and for a $12 sale it was not worth the bank fees. In the end she paid with cash she borrowed from a friend who she promised to pay back in two weeks. WOW! My current average CC sale is $145.

I’m not saying there have not been times when I’ve let folks take things home “on trial” and come back to pay afterwards – I do that a lot, but I really size them up first. These days there are not many places you can show that extend real “personal credit” to strangers and really don’t feel like I should either.

Cost varies and there are lots of plans, some with equipment some use what you have. Some use your own computer with their software. My service costs me one half my phone bill or one quarter of my electric bill, or one hundred pounds of clay per month. Or 1 ½ coffee cups. LOL I sleep very well knowing that in two days the cash will be in the bank.

Lois Ruben Aronow on fri 23 may 08

you can always use a knucklebuster. most companies will give you one =
for
free. then you phone in the charges. for less that a hundred bucks you =
can
get a hypercom t7p terminal and key in your charges. I even have one =
I'll
sell you.
=20
Ebay is great for used credit card processing equipment.

On the whole credit card thing, I=92m not really in a position to invest =
in
any equipment or the like, at least right now. I would like to have the
ability to take credit cards, but may just have to suffer through until =
I am
better established. I=92m amazed that the =93write up a bill=94 works =
for you
Kathy =96 I don=92t know if I could trust people that much! :-)

=20

I may look into the different set-ups for taking credit cards and see if =
I
can find something reasonable. Of course I will be checking the =
archives on
that too.

Have to disagree with Larry on this one. I haven't taken credit cards =
for
over ten years. When they ask if I take credit cards I always say, "No, =
but
I'll be glad to take your personal check and if you don't have a check =
with
you I'll just write up a bill and you can send it to me when you get =
home."=20

=20

=20

Kathy I am so glad this has worked for you and I think it generally =
would be
OK =96 BUT =96 it only takes once on a big sale to really put the damper =
in.
Credit card fees are one of my smallest costs in doing business at shows =
and
in my store. I most likely lose more to shoplifting. LOTS of times =
when
folks find out I take CC they spend more =96 and these are folks that I =
might
trust but there are others I would not. =20

=20

I do follow a couple rules =96 any sale on plastic must be over $20, any =
sale
under $100 I add a $3 fee, I only take MC and Visa (AMX and Discover can
keep their fees), I will take a check for any amount with ID. A couple
weeks ago was the first time I have ever refused to accept a check, I =
don=92t
need to go into it but it was oblivious that the check would be no good =
and
for a $12 sale it was not worth the bank fees. In the end she paid with
cash she borrowed from a friend who she promised to pay back in two =
weeks.
WOW! My current average CC sale is $145.

=20

I=92m not saying there have not been times when I=92ve let folks take =
things
home =93on trial=94 and come back to pay afterwards =96 I do that a lot, =
but I
really size them up first. These days there are not many places you can
show that extend real =93personal credit=94 to strangers and really =
don=92t feel
like I should either. =20

=20

Cost varies and there are lots of plans, some with equipment some use =
what
you have. Some use your own computer with their software. My service =
costs
me one half my phone bill or one quarter of my electric bill, or one =
hundred
pounds of clay per month. Or 1 =BD coffee cups. LOL I sleep very well
knowing that in two days the cash will be in the bank.

face=3DArial=20
color=3D#0000ff size=3D2>you can always use a knucklebuster. most =
companies=20
will give you one for free. then you phone in the charges. =
for less=20
that a hundred bucks you can get a hypercom t7p terminal and key in your =

charges. I even have one I'll sell you.

face=3DArial=20
color=3D#0000ff size=3D2>

face=3DArial=20
color=3D#0000ff size=3D2>Ebay is great for used credit card processing=20
equipment.

style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">On the =
whole credit=20
card thing, I=92m not really in a position to invest in any equipment =
or the=20
like, at least right now. I would like to have the ability to =
take=20
credit cards, but may just have to suffer through until I am better=20
established. I=92m amazed that the =93write up a bill=94 works =
for you Kathy =96=20
I don=92t know if I could trust people that much! =
face=3DWingdings color=3Dnavy size=3D2>style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: =
Wingdings">Jface=3DArial color=3Dnavy size=3D2>style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial">

style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial">

style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I may look =
into the=20
different set-ups for taking credit cards and see if I can find =
something=20
reasonable. Of course I will be checking the archives on that=20
too.

style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Have to disagree with Larry on this one. I =
haven't=20
taken credit cards for over ten years. When they ask if I take credit =
cards I=20
always say, "No, but I'll be glad to take your personal check and if =
you don't=20
have a check with you I'll just write up a bill and you can send it to =
me when=20
you get home."

size=3D2>style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: Calibri">Kathy =
I am so=20
glad this has worked for you and I think it generally would be OK =96 =
BUT =96 it=20
only takes once on a big sale to really put the damper in. =
Credit card=20
fees are one of my smallest costs in doing business at shows and in my =

store. I most likely lose more to shoplifting. LOTS of =
times when=20
folks find out I take CC they spend more =96 and these are folks that =
I might=20
trust but there are others I would not. =

size=3D2>style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: Calibri">I do =
follow a=20
couple rules =96 any sale on plastic must be over $20, any sale under =
$100 I add=20
a $3 fee, I only take MC and Visa (AMX and Discover can keep their =
fees), I=20
will take a check for any amount with ID. A couple weeks ago was =
the=20
first time I have ever refused to accept a check, I don=92t need to go =
into it=20
but it was oblivious that the check would be no good and for a $12 =
sale it was=20
not worth the bank fees. In the end she paid with cash she =
borrowed from=20
a friend who she promised to pay back in two weeks. WOW! =
My=20
current average CC sale is $145.

size=3D2>style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: Calibri">I=92m =
not saying=20
there have not been times when I=92ve let folks take things home =93on =
trial=94 and=20
come back to pay afterwards =96 I do that a lot, but I really size =
them up=20
first. These days there are not many places you can show that =
extend=20
real =93personal credit=94 to strangers and really don=92t feel like I =
should=20
either.

size=3D2>style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: Calibri">Cost =
varies and=20
there are lots of plans, some with equipment some use what you =
have. =20
Some use your own computer with their software. My service costs =
me one=20
half my phone bill or one quarter of my electric bill, or one hundred =
pounds=20
of clay per month. Or 1 =BD coffee cups. LOL I sleep very =
well=20
knowing that in two days the cash will be in the=20
bank.

Anita Rickenberg on fri 23 may 08

Have to disagree with Larry on this one. I haven't taken credit cards =
for
over ten years. When they ask if I take credit cards I always say, "No, =
but
I'll be glad to take your personal check and if you don't have a check =
with
you I'll just write up a bill and you can send it to me when you get =
home."=20
=20
When I was doing shows full time in NJ and NYC I used the same method =
and
only got stiffed one time for $30.00. The vast majority of people are
honest, and some even sent notes thanking me for trusting them with =
their
payment.
Anita

size=3D2>style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Roman">Have to=20
disagree with Larry on this one. I haven't taken credit cards for over =
ten=20
years. When they ask if I take credit cards I always say, "No, but I'll =
be glad=20
to take your personal check and if you don't have a check with you I'll =
just=20
write up a bill and you can send it to me when you get home."=20

size=3D2>style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt">face=3D"Times New Roman">

style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt">color=3D#0000ff>When I was doing shows full time in NJ and NYC I used =
the same=20
method and only got stiffed one time for $30.00. The vast majority =
of=20
people are honest, and some even sent notes thanking me for =
trusting them=20
with their =
payment.

size=3D2>style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Anita

------=_NextPart_000_0014_01C8BCAD.911844B0--

KATHI LESUEUR on fri 23 may 08

> On the whole credit card thing, I=92m not really in a position to =20
> invest in any equipment or the like, at least right now. I would =20
> like to have the ability to take credit cards, but may just have to =20=

> suffer through until I am better established. I=92m amazed that the =20=

> =93write up a bill=94 works for you Kathy =96 I don=92t know if I =
could =20
> trust people that much! J
>
> I may look into the different set-ups for taking credit cards and =20
> see if I can find something reasonable. Of course I will be =20
> checking the archives on that too.
>
> Keba

Perhaps I deal with a different class of people, but I've never had a =20=

actually done this almost twenty years now. I started doing it after =20
watching a friend's booth (also a potter). People kept coming up with =20=

pots to buy, taking out their cards, only to have me explain that she =20=

didn't accept them and that they could write or send a check. In most =20=

cases people just handed me cash. Others wrote checks or I wrote up a =20=

bill. No one decided to not purchase the pots. She had been doing =20
this since the seventies.

So, at my next show I stopped taking checks. I don't put out a sign =20
and they have already made their choices and brought them to be paid =20
for and wrapped. The key is to get that line out quickly: "I'll be =20
happy to take your personal check and if you don't have one with you =20
I'll give you a bill and you can send it."

I have a file folder filled with cards from people who sent their =20
check thanking me for trusting them and how wonderful it made me =20
feel. If I was a jeweler I wouldn't do this. After all, you can take =20=

the stones out and sell the metal and stones to a pawn shop. What =20
pawn shop is going to take pottery? Who will "fence" pottery? If I =20
were a painter I'd take charges. But, I'm a potter. Most people who =20
come to fairs are honest and trustworthy. Those who aren't are not =20
buying pottery.

This has been my experience and that of a few others who have tried =20
it. My last year of taking charges I paid $2000 in fees. Even with =20
reduced rates available now, ten or twenty years of fees is a lot of =20
money out of my pocket.

As for the experience Larry cites of loosing more than that in shop =20
lifting. Again, I must deal with a different class of people. I've =20
never had anything lifted. It's easy for an experienced potter to =20
know what is in their booth and if something is missing.

0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; =
font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; ">color=3D"navy" face=3D"Arial">font-family: Arial; color: navy; ">On the whole credit card thing, I=92m =
not really in a position to invest in any equipment or the like, at =
least right now.=A0 I would like to have the ability to take credit =
cards, but may just have to suffer through until I am better =
established.=A0 I=92m amazed that the =93write up a bill=94 works for =
you Kathy =96 I don=92t know if I could trust people that much!=A0class=3D"Apple-converted-space">=A0color=3D"navy" face=3D"Wingdings">font-family: Wingdings; color: navy; ">Jcolor=3D"navy" face=3D"Arial">font-family: Arial; color: navy; ">

margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: =
12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; ">face=3D"Arial">color: navy; ">I may look into the different set-ups for taking credit =
cards and see if I can find something reasonable.=A0 Of course I will be =
checking the archives on that too.

Perhaps I =
deal with a different class of people, but I've never had a problem =
except the one I cited. My partner, last night, =A0told me I've actually =
done this almost twenty years now. I started doing it after watching a =
friend's booth (also a potter). People kept coming up with pots to buy, =
taking out their cards, only to have me explain that she didn't accept =
them and that they could write or send a check. In most cases people =
just handed me cash. Others wrote checks or I wrote up a bill. No one =
decided to not purchase the pots. She had been doing this since the =
seventies.

So, at my next show I stopped taking =
checks. I don't put out a sign and they have already made their choices =
and brought them to be paid for and wrapped. The key is to get that line =
out quickly: "I'll be happy to take your personal check and if you don't =
have one with you I'll give you a bill and you can send =
it."

I have a file folder filled with cards =
from people who sent their check thanking me for trusting them and how =
wonderful it made me feel. If I was a jeweler I wouldn't do this. After =
=A0all, you can take the stones out and sell the metal and stones to a =
pawn shop. What pawn shop is going to take pottery? Who will "fence" =
pottery? =A0If I were a painter I'd take charges. =A0But, I'm a potter. =
Most people who come to fairs are honest and trustworthy. Those who =
aren't =A0are not buying pottery.=A0

This has =
been my experience and that of a few others who have tried it. My last =
year of taking charges I paid $2000 in fees. Even with reduced rates =
available now, ten or twenty years of fees is a lot of money out of my =
pocket. =A0

As for the experience Larry cites =
of loosing more than that in shop lifting. Again, I must deal with a =
different class of people. I've never had anything lifted. It's easy for =
an experienced potter to know what is in their booth and if something is =
=A0missing.

Kathi

=

--Apple-Mail-1--834625019--

Larry Kruzan on fri 23 may 08

As for the experience Larry cites of loosing more than that in shop lifting.
Again, I must deal with a different class of people. I've never had anything
lifted. It's easy for an experienced potter to know what is in their booth
and if something is missing.

Kathi

Hi Kathi, I agree that the shows are a different thing and am not arguing
what works for you. On the rare occasion when I have loss due to
shoplifting it is a small thing and always in my store when I am out back
with a tour group instead in the show room. It does happen to any merchant
but fortunately it is rare.

If I spent $2000 on fees I would be anti credit cards too. My Goodness!!
My total costs last year was $385 including tape for the machine! I use a
knuckle buster at shows and punch it into the computer when we get home.
The knuckle buster was given to me by the CC processor I use along with a
life time supply of the forms - free is good! I did buy a special printer
that is hooked to the computer for printing "in-store" receipts, and a card
reader but that was my only hardware cost and it was optional. The software
was $29. The added fee I charge generated much more than offset the costs
involved last year and I've never had anyone squawk about it, most people
know it is not free.

As for the class of people I deal with, I'd say that people as a whole are
pretty much the same at any social strata. The news is full of criminals
who are drug addicts, down and outers, average folks who give in or are
overwhelmed and millionaires who cheat on their taxes. Class has nothing
to do with it. Character does - and a person either has it or they don't.

I may not have you experience as a potter but at 53 I do know when something
is missing - who took it is another matter - that's why lots of places have
cameras all over the store.

As for the experience Larry cites of loosing more =
than that
in shop lifting. Again, I must deal with a different class of people. =
I've
never had anything lifted. It's easy for an experienced potter to know =
what is
in their booth and if something is missing.

style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Hi Kathi, I agree that the shows are a different =
thing and
am not arguing what works for you. On the rare occasion when I =
have loss
due to shoplifting it is a small thing and always in my store when I am =
out
back with a tour group instead in the show room. It does =
happen to
any merchant but fortunately it is rare.

style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>If I spent $2000 on fees I would be anti credit cards =
too.
My Goodness!! My total costs last year was $385 including tape for =
the
machine! I use a knuckle buster at shows and punch it into the =
computer
when we get home. The knuckle buster was given to me by the CC =
processor I
use along with a life time supply of the forms – free is =
good! I
did buy a special printer that is hooked to the computer for printing =
“in-store”
receipts, and a card reader but that was my only hardware cost and it =
was
optional. The software was $29. The added fee I charge =
generated
much more than offset the costs involved last year and I’ve never =
had
anyone squawk about it, most people know it is not =
free.

style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>As for the class of people I deal with, I’d say =
that
people as a whole are pretty much the same at any social strata. =
The news
is full of criminals who are drug addicts, down and outers, average =
folks who
give in or are overwhelmed and millionaires who cheat on their taxes. =
Class
has nothing to do with it. Character does – and a person =
either has
it or they don’t.

style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>I may not have you experience as a potter but at 53 I do =
know
when something is missing – who took it is another matter – =
that’s
why lots of places have cameras all over the store. =

I must agree with Larry. I know for a fact that I would have lost more =
than
a few sales had I not taken credit cards. Maybe it's a big-city =
mentality.
People would think I was an insane person if I gave them work and asked =
them
to pay later. Seriously. And I would feel the same way - I would NEVER
take anything without paying for it first. At a show years ago, someone
offered the work to me (they didn't take cards or checks) and I declined =
the
work. I was just afraid I'd forget, or misplace the address, or =
something.
I prefer to have my transaction finished at the same time it takes =
place,
regardless of which side of the transaction I am on.

=20

I pay $12 a month to take cards, and my rates are good - reasonable, =
even.
One day last year at Baltimore I got NO CASH at all. Credit cards =
galore,
thousands of dollars. I had the money in the bank in 3 days, and didn't
have to bite my nails wondering if anyone "forgot" to send payment. And
that's not to mention the time and money you would spend following up on
payments. Just not worth it.

=20

this year I am doing a local "flea market" once a month. One of the =
days,
my sales rivaled those at a high-end craft show. The reason? CREDIT =
CARDS.
If people can charge it, they will not only buy it, but will more times =
than
not take 2.

=20

With debit cards becoming more prevalent, cash will disappear. I know =
loads
of people who carry very, very little cash - including myself. =20

=20

If you are running a business, it's important to serve your customers.

Have to disagree with Larry on this one. I haven't taken credit cards =
for
over ten years. When they ask if I take credit cards I always say, "No, =
but
I'll be glad to take your personal check and if you don't have a check =
with
you I'll just write up a bill and you can send it to me when you get =
home."=20

=20

=20

Kathy I am so glad this has worked for you and I think it generally =
would be
OK =96 BUT =96 it only takes once on a big sale to really put the damper =
in.
Credit card fees are one of my smallest costs in doing business at shows =
and
in my store. I most likely lose more to shoplifting. LOTS of times =
when
folks find out I take CC they spend more =96 and these are folks that I =
might
trust but there are others I would not. =20

=20

I do follow a couple rules =96 any sale on plastic must be over $20, any =
sale
under $100 I add a $3 fee, I only take MC and Visa (AMX and Discover can
keep their fees), I will take a check for any amount with ID. A couple
weeks ago was the first time I have ever refused to accept a check, I =
don=92t
need to go into it but it was oblivious that the check would be no good =
and
for a $12 sale it was not worth the bank fees. In the end she paid with
cash she borrowed from a friend who she promised to pay back in two =
weeks.
WOW! My current average CC sale is $145.

=20

I=92m not saying there have not been times when I=92ve let folks take =
things
home =93on trial=94 and come back to pay afterwards =96 I do that a lot, =
but I
really size them up first. These days there are not many places you can
show that extend real =93personal credit=94 to strangers and really =
don=92t feel
like I should either. =20

=20

Cost varies and there are lots of plans, some with equipment some use =
what
you have. Some use your own computer with their software. My service =
costs
me one half my phone bill or one quarter of my electric bill, or one =
hundred
pounds of clay per month. Or 1 =BD coffee cups. LOL I sleep very well
knowing that in two days the cash will be in the bank.

style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Thanks Lois, I just took a look in my billfold - $10 in =
cash,
three debit cards (one personal, two business accounts), one credit card =
(only
for emergencies).=A0

style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:blue'>I must agree with Larry. I know for a fact that I =
would
have lost more than a few sales had I not taken credit cards. =
Maybe it's
a big-city mentality. People would think I was an insane person if =
I gave
them work and asked them to pay later. Seriously. And I =
would feel
the same way - I would NEVER take anything without paying for it =
first.
At a show years ago, someone offered the work to me (they didn't take =
cards or
checks) and I declined the work. I was just afraid I'd forget, or
misplace the address, or something. I prefer to have my =
transaction
finished at the same time it takes place, regardless of which side of =
the
transaction I am on.

style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:blue'>I pay $12 a month to take cards, and my rates are good -
reasonable, even. One day last year at Baltimore I got NO CASH at
all. Credit cards galore, thousands of dollars. I had the =
money in
the bank in 3 days, and didn't have to bite my nails wondering if anyone
"forgot" to send payment. And that's not to mention the =
time
and money you would spend following up on payments. Just not worth =
it.

style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:blue'>this year I am doing a local "flea market" once a
month. One of the days, my sales rivaled those at a high-end craft
show. The reason? CREDIT CARDS. If people can charge =
it, they
will not only buy it, but will more times than not take =
2.

style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:blue'>With debit cards becoming more prevalent, cash will
disappear. I know loads of people who carry very, very little cash =
-
including myself.

style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:blue'>If you are running a business, it's important to serve your
customers.

Have to disagree with Larry on this one. I haven't =
taken
credit cards for over ten years. When they ask if I take credit cards I =
always
say, "No, but I'll be glad to take your personal check and if you =
don't
have a check with you I'll just write up a bill and you can send it to =
me when
you get home."

style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Kathy I am so glad this has worked for you and I think it
generally would be OK – BUT – it only takes once on a big =
sale to really put
the damper in. Credit card fees are one of my smallest costs in =
doing business
at shows and in my store. I most likely lose more to =
shoplifting.
LOTS of times when folks find out I take CC they spend more – and =
these are
folks that I might trust but there are others I would not. =

style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>I do follow a couple rules – any sale on plastic =
must be over
$20, any sale under $100 I add a $3 fee, I only take MC and Visa (AMX =
and
Discover can keep their fees), I will take a check for any amount with
ID. A couple weeks ago was the first time I have ever refused to =
accept a
check, I don’t need to go into it but it was oblivious that the =
check would be
no good and for a $12 sale it was not worth the bank fees. In the =
end she
paid with cash she borrowed from a friend who she promised to pay back =
in two
weeks. WOW! My current average CC sale is =
$145.

style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>I’m not saying there have not been times when =
I’ve let folks
take things home “on trial” and come back to pay afterwards =
– I do that a lot,
but I really size them up first. These days there are not many =
places you
can show that extend real “personal credit” to strangers and =
really don’t feel
like I should either.

style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Cost varies and there are lots of plans, some with =
equipment
some use what you have. Some use your own computer with their
software. My service costs me one half my phone bill or one =
quarter of my
electric bill, or one hundred pounds of clay per month. Or 1 =BD =
coffee
cups. LOL I sleep very well knowing that in two days the cash will =
be in
the bank.

Ingeborg Foco on fri 23 may 08

I too take credit cards. Lois it's not a big city mentality. My Shop is
on an island out in the hinterlands. The mentality isn't big city but the
credit card companies are very aggressive in getting people to charge
charge and charge. So everyone wants to use their credit card rather than
write a check or pay in cash.

I have a contracted rate with them but that is really irrelevant since it
all depends on the type of card the person has and I can't tell that by
looking at the card. You say it costs you $12 per month but Lois is that
really what your costs are? I have a monthly fee of $6.00 to your $12. My
rate is $6.00 less than yours but then there are the annual charges and then
the ach fees and the actual transaction fees. And the fees go on. If they
get miles, cash back, reward points and so forth, I'm the one that pays for
all of those perks and the rates vary. I never know what a transaction
costs me until I get my monthly statement. Do You? Potters are generally
poor in the business end of things and they think someone is doing them a
favor charging fees for handling money. The general comment I hear is it
only costs me 3.5 percent. When I hear comments like that I know that the
person isn't very business savvy. Only 3.5% for what? What pray tell did
they do for 3.5%.

Most people have either cash or a check but of course they prefer to charge
and get get those airline miles or reward points. They have been well
trained. The latest is something about me having to secure the "security
of cards" In other words it's another thing that I will have to pay
for....I haven't checked into it but from what I gather I will have to
consult with someone to make sure that I am following safety measures for
securing the customers private information. How much will that cost me? I
am a very small fish in the pond o.k. and I highly resent the constant
increases in fees which is what all of this is about. You may feel great
about taking cards but I feel like I am being screwed every time I take
one.

I have never had a person give me a bad check and so checks even from out
of state are not a problem for me. People from NY whip out an arm full of
identification when they write a check and I say "that's OK I'm fine, I
don't need that" they are surprised. I guess it is different in NY.
Realistically, my experience is that people who buy pottery are honest
people. I never take down their driver's license or other id and knock on
wood I have never been stung. What is their driver's license going to do
for you if the check is bad? Nothing.

So long story short, if I could figure out how not to take credit cards and
not lose business, I would.

Just my opinion by someone who is being squeezed left and right between
credit card companies, shipping companies and suppliers.

Ingeborg
www.thepottersworkshop.com

On Thu, May 22, 2008 at 9:03 PM, Lois Ruben Aronow wrote:

> I must agree with Larry. I know for a fact that I would have lost more
> than a few sales had I not taken credit cards. Maybe it's a big-city
> mentality.
>
>
>
>

I too take credit cards. Lois it's not a big city ment=
ality. My Shop is on an island out in the hinterlands. The ment=
ality isn't big city but the credit card companies are very aggre=
ssive in getting people to charge charge and charge. So everyone want=
s to use their credit card rather than write a check or pay in cash.

I have a contracted rate with them but that is really irrelevant=
since it all depends on the type of card the person has and I can't te=
ll that by looking at the card. You say it costs you $12 per month bu=
t Lois is that really what your costs are? I have a monthly fee of $6=
.00 to your $12. My rate is $6.00 less than yours but then&=
nbsp;there are the annual charges and then the ach fees and the actual tran=
saction fees. And the fees go on. If they get miles, cash back,=
reward points and so forth, I'm the one that pays for all of those per=
ks and the rates vary. I never know what a transaction costs me until=
I get my monthly statement. Do You? Potters are generall=
y poor in the business end of things and they think someone is doing them a=
favor charging fees for handling money. The general comment I hear i=
s it only costs me 3.5 percent. When I hear comments =
like that I know that the person isn't very business savvy. Only =
3.5% for what? What pray tell did they do for 3.5%.

Most people have either cash or a check but of course they prefer to c=
harge and get get those airline miles or reward points. They ha=
ve been well trained. The latest is something about me having t=
o secure the "security of cards" In other words it's an=
other thing that I will have to pay for....I haven't checked into it bu=
t from what I gather I will have to consult with someone to make sure =
that I am following safety measures for securing the customers private info=
rmation. How much will that cost me? I am a very small fish in =
the pond o.k. and I highly resent the constant increases in fees which is w=
hat all of this is about. You may feel great about taking cards but I=
feel like I am being screwed every time I take one.

I have never had a person give me a bad check and so checks even from&=
nbsp; out of state are not a problem for me. People from NY whip out =
an arm full of identification when they write a check and I say &quot=
;that's OK I'm fine, I don't need that" they are sur=
prised. I guess it is different in NY. Realistically, my experi=
ence is that people who buy pottery are honest people. I never take d=
own their driver's license or other id and knock on wood I have never b=
een stung. What is their driver's license going to do for you if&=
nbsp; the check is bad? Nothing.

So long story short, if I could figure out how not to take credit card=
s and not lose business, I would.

Just my opinion by someone who is being squeezed left and right betwee=
n credit card companies, shipping companies and suppliers.

" size=3D"2">I must agree with Larry. I know for a fact that I w=
ould have lost more than a few sales had I not taken credit cards. Ma=
ybe it's a big-city mentality. FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d">

R-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">

------=_Part_5332_18650631.1211595488156--

Ingeborg Foco on fri 23 may 08

If you can get away with it, all the more power to you. However, you are
not allowed to limit the amount of credit card charge. In other words if
someone wants to charge $5.00, you are required to honor that. Disallowing
any charge under $20 is a no no and to charge an addition fee of $3.00 for
charges under $100 is highly irregular and illegal according to the credit
card companies. One of these days someone will take you to task and you
will either get a warning from the CC company or a fine so be forewarned. =
I
agree with you and think we should be able to levy those charges but
.....unfortunately we are not the ones in charge.

Best wishes

Ingeborg.

One
On Thu, May 22, 2008 at 7:37 PM, Larry Kruzan wrote:

>
>
>
>
> .
>
>
>
> I do follow a couple rules =96 any sale on plastic must be over $20, any =
sale
> under $100 I add a $3 fee, I only take MC and Visa (AMX and Discover can
> keep their fees), I will take a check for any amount with ID. A couple
> weeks ago was the first time I have ever refused to accept a check, I don=
't
> need to go into it but it was oblivious that the check would be no good a=
nd
> for a $12 sale it was not worth the bank fees. In the end she paid with
> cash she borrowed from a friend who she promised to pay back in two weeks=
.
> WOW! My current average CC sale is $145.
>
>
>
> --
> Sincerely,
>
> Ingeborg
>
> www.thepottersworkshop.com
>

If you can get away with it, all the more power to you. However,=
you are not allowed to limit the amount of credit card charge.&=
nbsp; In other words if someone wants to charge $5.00, you are required to =
honor that. Disallowing any charge under $20 is a no no and to c=
harge an addition fee of $3.00 for charges under $100 is highly irregular a=
nd illegal according to the credit card companies. O=
ne of these days someone will take you to task and you will either ge=
t a warning from the CC company or a fine so be forewarned. I agree w=
ith you and think we should be able to levy those charges but .....unfortun=
ately we are not the ones in charge.

I do follow a couple rul=
es =96 any sale on plastic must be over $20, any sale under $100 I add a $3=
fee, I only take MC and Visa (AMX and Discover can keep their fees), I wil=
l take a check for any amount with ID. A couple weeks ago was the fir=
st time I have ever refused to accept a check, I don't need to go into it b=
ut it was oblivious that the check would be no good and for a $12 sale it w=
as not worth the bank fees. In the end she paid with cash she borrowe=
d from a friend who she promised to pay back in two weeks. WOW! =
My current average CC sale is $145.

Lee Love on fri 23 may 08

On Fri, May 23, 2008 at 9:06 PM, Christine Campbell
wrote:
> Well, that noise you heard was my
> brain exploding!
>
> I cannot believe we are still debating
> the merits of accepting credit cards in 2008.
>
> Former soviet republics, poor third world nations,
> newly emerging economies have caught on, but amazingly
> some potters still don't see past the personal
> check and cash.

When you get out of the big cities in Japan, you don't find that
they accept credit cards, except in big shops. No individual potters
accept them.

Japan has a cash economy (you often hear of old women getting
their purses snatch, containing $30,000.00 or more) and a very large
part of the domestic economy goes unreported and untaxed. That is one
reason folks don't accept credit cards there.

--
Lee in Minneapolis
http://groups.google.com/group/ClayCraft

"Men are born ignorant, not stupid. They are made stupid by
education." -- Bertrand Russell

Is there any data on whether those numbers are accurate tax returns or real income including cash? I wonder if the desire for cash might be an effort to avoid a papertrail for the taxman and not such a love of convenience. And if ALL income were actually factored in, would potters still be last?

Turning over a rock, I know. But I wonder if people could even have a discussion about this on a public forum. I have had little income at all for the past four years due to the unexpected motherhood, but I know cash discounts frequently meant potters and other crafts artists I was in shows with didn't declare all their income. I never did shows and worked out of a studio selling to galleries, which meant my income came with 1099's for the most part, but if someone came by and paid $20 for a plate or pitcher off the shelf, odds are I would have just bought dinner with it. I made sure to allow for such monies when I did my taxes by adding a percentage of real sales as other studio income. I tried to do it honestly, but I didn't write sales like that down. Now that we own our property and itemize and all that, I even write down mileage and prefer checks. But I was young and careless once.

Is there any data on whether those numbers are accurate tax returns or real income including cash? I wonder if the desire for cash might be an effort to avoid a papertrail for the taxman and not such a love of convenience. And if ALL income were actually factored in, would potters still be last?

Turning over a rock, I know. But I wonder if people could even have
a discussion about this on a public forum. I have had little income at all for the past four years due to the unexpected motherhood, but I know cash discounts frequently meant potters and other crafts artists I was in shows with didn't declare all their income. I never did shows and worked out of a studio selling to galleries, which meant my income came with 1099's for the most part, but if someone came by and paid $20 for a plate or pitcher off the shelf, odds are I would have just bought dinner with it. I made sure to allow for such monies when I did my taxes by adding a percentage of real sales as other studio income. I tried to do it honestly, but I didn't write sales like that down. Now that we own our property and itemize and all that, I even write down mileage and prefer checks. But I was young and careless once.

Jeff Gieringer on sat 24 may 08

"Well, that noise you heard was my
brain exploding!

I cannot believe we are still debating
the merits of accepting credit cards in 2008."

Chris,

I couldn't have said it any better. Over 80% of our show sales are credit
card. I really wouldn't want to find out what I would lose if I didn't take
them. I have been reading this thread over the last couple of days smiling
and shaking my head. Then I just about lost my coffee all over the laptop
when I read your post. I like Larry checked my pocket yesterday and I had
$5, 2 credit cards and and debit card.

KATHI LESUEUR on sat 24 may 08

On May 24, 2008, at 7:28 AM, Jeff Gieringer wrote:

> "Well, that noise you heard was my
> brain exploding!
>
> I cannot believe we are still debating
> the merits of accepting credit cards in 2008."
>
> Chris,
>
> I couldn't have said it any better. Over 80% of our show sales are
> credit
> card. I really wouldn't want to find out what I would lose if I
> didn't take
> them. I have been reading this thread over the last couple of days
> smiling
> and shaking my head. Then I just about lost my coffee all over the
> laptop
> when I read your post. I like Larry checked my pocket yesterday
> and I had
> $5, 2 credit cards and and debit card.
>
> Jeff

I understand the point. But, just because a huge percentage of your
sales is credit cards doesn't mean that is the only way you would
sell. I'd match my sales at a show to anyone taking cards. When I'm
doing $10,000 to $12,000 at a show with functional pots and that's
$3000 more than my friend (also a functional potter) who takes cards
and sells very well, I don't think I'm being affected. People will
pay with a card if they can. They'll reserve the cash for me. If I
had a store it would be another matter, and of course, I'd take
cards. But at a show, no.

Kathi
>
>
>

John Hesselberth on sat 24 may 08

On May 24, 2008, at 7:28 AM, Jeff Gieringer wrote:

> I couldn't have said it any better. Over 80% of our show sales are
> credit
> card. I really wouldn't want to find out what I would lose if I
> didn't take
> them. I have been reading this thread over the last couple of days
> smiling
> and shaking my head.

Hi Jeff,

I had the unfortunate experience of finding out a few years ago. My
bank was sold and I had to transfer to a new credit card processor as
a result of that. My paperwork got mishandled and I was without a
merchant account for a few days. The show I did that weekend was a
disaster. I had read of Kathy's method on Clayart so I tried it.
Let's just say it didn't work for me. I had less than half the sales
I had at the same show the previous year. Others around me said their
sales were about the same as the previous year. It is only one data
point but it was a powerful lesson. I am convinced that lots of
potential customers won't even look at your work unless they see
credit card logos prominently displayed in your booth or store.

Regards,

John

Jeff Gieringer on sat 24 may 08

Simply add 5% to the price of all of your pots. I figure if paying $63 =
instead of $60 is going to keep them from buying my pot then they're =
really not that interested anyway. If you feel that's not fair to the =
cash paying customers, simply offer a 5% discount for cash payment. =
That's not against any credit card rules. They just tell you that you =
can't charge extra for someone using a credit card. I'm not in NY =
either, but in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee whar thar's more than =
one way to skeen a cat. Seriously, I don't think adding $5 to a $100 pot =
is going to hurt your sales any, but it will offset your credit card =
charges, it has mine.

I too take credit cards. Lois it's not a big city mentality. My =
Shop is on an island out in the hinterlands. The mentality isn't big =
city but the credit card companies are very aggressive in getting =
people to charge charge and charge. So everyone wants to use their =
credit card rather than write a check or pay in cash.

I have a contracted rate with them but that is really irrelevant =
since it all depends on the type of card the person has and I can't tell =
that by looking at the card. You say it costs you $12 per month but =
Lois is that really what your costs are? I have a monthly fee of $6.00 =
to your $12. My rate is $6.00 less than yours but then there are the =
annual charges and then the ach fees and the actual transaction fees. =
And the fees go on. If they get miles, cash back, reward points and so =
forth, I'm the one that pays for all of those perks and the rates vary. =
I never know what a transaction costs me until I get my monthly =
statement. Do You? Potters are generally poor in the business end of =
things and they think someone is doing them a favor charging fees for =
handling money. The general comment I hear is it only costs me 3.5 =
percent. When I hear comments like that I know that the person isn't =
very business savvy. Only 3.5% for what? What pray tell did they do =
for 3.5%.

Most people have either cash or a check but of course they prefer to =
charge and get get those airline miles or reward points. They have =
been well trained. The latest is something about me having to secure =
the "security of cards" In other words it's another thing that I will =
have to pay for....I haven't checked into it but from what I gather I =
will have to consult with someone to make sure that I am following =
safety measures for securing the customers private information. How =
much will that cost me? I am a very small fish in the pond o.k. and I =
highly resent the constant increases in fees which is what all of this =
is about. You may feel great about taking cards but I feel like I am =
being screwed every time I take one. =20

I have never had a person give me a bad check and so checks even from =
out of state are not a problem for me. People from NY whip out an arm =
full of identification when they write a check and I say "that's OK I'm =
fine, I don't need that" they are surprised. I guess it is different =
in NY. Realistically, my experience is that people who buy pottery are =
honest people. I never take down their driver's license or other id and =
knock on wood I have never been stung. What is their driver's license =
going to do for you if the check is bad? Nothing. =20

So long story short, if I could figure out how not to take credit =
cards and not lose business, I would. =20

Just my opinion by someone who is being squeezed left and right =
between credit card companies, shipping companies and suppliers. =20

Ingeborg
www.thepottersworkshop.com

=20
On Thu, May 22, 2008 at 9:03 PM, Lois Ruben Aronow =
wrote:

I must agree with Larry. I know for a fact that I would have lost =
more than a few sales had I not taken credit cards. Maybe it's a =
big-city mentality. =20

Simply add 5% to the price of all of =
your pots. I=20
figure if paying $63 instead of $60 is going to keep them from buying my =
pot=20
then they're really not that interested anyway. If you feel that's not =
fair to=20
the cash paying customers, simply offer a 5% discount for cash=20
payment. That's not against any credit card rules. They just tell =
you that=20
you can't charge extra for someone using a credit card. I'm not in =
NY=20
either, but in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee whar thar's =
more than=20
one way to skeen a cat. Seriously, I don't think adding $5 to a $100 pot =
is=20
going to hurt your sales any, but it will offset your credit card =
charges, it=20
has mine.

I too take credit cards. Lois it's not a big city=20
mentality. My Shop is on an island out in the hinterlands. =
The=20
mentality isn't big city but the credit card companies are very=20
aggressive in getting people to charge charge and charge. So =
everyone=20
wants to use their credit card rather than write a check or pay in =
cash.

I have a contracted rate with them but that is really =
irrelevant=20
since it all depends on the type of card the person has and I can't =
tell that=20
by looking at the card. You say it costs you $12 per month but =
Lois is=20
that really what your costs are? I have a monthly fee of =
$6.00 to=20
your $12. My rate is $6.00 less than yours but =
then there are=20
the annual charges and then the ach fees and the actual transaction=20
fees. And the fees go on. If they get miles, cash back, =
reward=20
points and so forth, I'm the one that pays for all of those perks and =
the=20
rates vary. I never know what a transaction costs me until I get =
my=20
monthly statement. Do You? Potters are generally =
poor in the=20
business end of things and they think someone is doing them a favor =
charging=20
fees for handling money. The general comment I hear is it only =
costs=20
me 3.5 percent. When I hear comments like that I =
know=20
that the person isn't very business savvy. Only 3.5% for =
what? =20
What pray tell did they do for 3.5%.

Most people have either cash or a check but of course they prefer =
to=20
charge and get get those airline miles or reward points. =
They have=20
been well trained. The latest is something about me having =
to=20
secure the "security of cards" In other words it's another thing =
that I=20
will have to pay for....I haven't checked into it but from what I =
gather I=20
will have to consult with someone to make sure that I am =
following safety=20
measures for securing the customers private information. How =
much will=20
that cost me? I am a very small fish in the pond o.k. and I =
highly=20
resent the constant increases in fees which is what all of this is=20
about. You may feel great about taking cards but I feel like I =
am being=20
screwed every time I take one.

I have never had a person give me a bad check and so checks even=20
from out of state are not a problem for me. People from NY =
whip=20
out an arm full of identification when they write a check and I =
say=20
"that's OK I'm fine, I don't need that" they are =
surprised. I=20
guess it is different in NY. Realistically, my experience is =
that people=20
who buy pottery are honest people. I never take down their =
driver's=20
license or other id and knock on wood I have never been stung. =
What is=20
their driver's license going to do for you if the check is =
bad? =20
Nothing.

So long story short, if I could figure out how not to take credit =
cards=20
and not lose business, I would.

Just my opinion by someone who is being squeezed left and right =
between=20
credit card companies, shipping companies and suppliers.

size=3D2>I=20
must agree with Larry. I know for a fact that I would =
have lost=20
more than a few sales had I not taken credit cards. Maybe it's =
a=20
big-city mentality. style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d">

Ingeborg Foco on sat 24 may 08

Thanks, you have a lot of common sense. I think I will try your method and
offer cash discounts. I thought that you couldn't do that but hey, it is
worth a try.

There is a little fruit stand where I purchase local vegetables and they had
a sign pasted on the counter "No Credit cards for sales under $20" Someone
must have complained and the sign was changed to "please if you can pay with
cash for sales under $20...."

I have been dinged with credit card charges on the purchase and then again
when they returned the item. I've gotten a bit smarter and now have it
printed on the receipt "All Sales Final" You live and learn I guess.

Sincerely,

Ingeborg

Sat, May 24, 2008 at 8:02 AM, Jeff Gieringer wrote:

> Ingeborg,
>
> Simply add 5% to the price of all of your pots. I figure if paying $63
> instead of $60 is going to keep them from buying my pot then they're really
> not that interested anyway. If you feel that's not fair to the cash paying
> customers, simply offer a 5% discount for cash payment. That's not against
> any credit card rules. They just tell you that you can't charge extra for
> someone using a credit card. I'm not in NY either, but in the Smoky
> Mountains of Tennessee whar thar's more than one way to skeen a cat.
> Seriously, I don't think adding $5 to a $100 pot is going to hurt your sales
> any, but it will offset your credit card charges, it has mine.
>
> Jeff
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Ingeborg Foco > *To:* CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> *Sent:* Friday, May 23, 2008 10:18 PM
> *Subject:* Re: My first show!
>
> I too take credit cards. Lois it's not a big city mentality. My Shop
> is on an island out in the hinterlands. The mentality isn't big city but
> the credit card companies are very aggressive in getting people to charge
> charge and charge. So everyone wants to use their credit card rather than
> write a check or pay in cash.
>
> I have a contracted rate with them but that is really irrelevant since it
> all depends on the type of card the person has and I can't tell that by
> looking at the card. You say it costs you $12 per month but Lois is that
> really what your costs are? I have a monthly fee of $6.00 to your $12. My
> rate is $6.00 less than yours but then there are the annual charges and then
> the ach fees and the actual transaction fees. And the fees go on. If they
> get miles, cash back, reward points and so forth, I'm the one that pays for
> all of those perks and the rates vary. I never know what a transaction
> costs me until I get my monthly statement. Do You? Potters are generally
> poor in the business end of things and they think someone is doing them a
> favor charging fees for handling money. The general comment I hear is it
> only costs me 3.5 percent. When I hear comments like that I know that the
> person isn't very business savvy. Only 3.5% for what? What pray tell did
> they do for 3.5%.
>
> Most people have either cash or a check but of course they prefer to charge
> and get get those airline miles or reward points. They have been well
> trained. The latest is something about me having to secure the "security
> of cards" In other words it's another thing that I will have to pay
> for....I haven't checked into it but from what I gather I will have to
> consult with someone to make sure that I am following safety measures for
> securing the customers private information. How much will that cost me? I
> am a very small fish in the pond o.k. and I highly resent the constant
> increases in fees which is what all of this is about. You may feel great
> about taking cards but I feel like I am being screwed every time I take
> one.
>
> I have never had a person give me a bad check and so checks even from out
> of state are not a problem for me. People from NY whip out an arm full of
> identification when they write a check and I say "that's OK I'm fine, I
> don't need that" they are surprised. I guess it is different in NY.
> Realistically, my experience is that people who buy pottery are honest
> people. I never take down their driver's license or other id and knock on
> wood I have never been stung. What is their driver's license going to do
> for you if the check is bad? Nothing.
>
> So long story short, if I could figure out how not to take credit cards and
> not lose business, I would.
>
> Just my opinion by someone who is being squeezed left and right between
> credit card companies, shipping companies and suppliers.
>
> Ingeborg
> www.thepottersworkshop.com
>
>
>
>
> On Thu, May 22, 2008 at 9:03 PM, Lois Ruben Aronow > wrote:
>
>> I must agree with Larry. I know for a fact that I would have lost more
>> than a few sales had I not taken credit cards. Maybe it's a big-city
>> mentality.
>>
>>
>>
>>

Thanks, you have a lot of common sense. I think I will try your =
method and offer cash discounts. I thought that you couldn't do t=
hat but hey, it is worth a try.

There is a little fruit stand where I purchase local vegetables and th=
ey had a sign pasted on the counter "No Credit cards for sales under $=
20" Someone must have complained and the sign was changed to &qu=
ot;please if you can pay with cash for sales under $20...." &nbsp=
;

I have been dinged with credit card charges on the purchase and then a=
gain when they returned the item. I've gotten a bit smarter and n=
ow have it printed on the receipt "All Sales Final" You liv=
e and learn I guess.

Simply add 5% to the price of all of y=
our pots. I figure if paying $63 instead of $60 is going to keep them from =
buying my pot then they're really not that interested anyway. If you fe=
el that's not fair to the cash paying customers, simply offer a 5% disc=
ount for cash payment. That's not against any credit card rules. T=
hey just tell you that you can't charge extra for someone using a credi=
t card. I'm not in NY either, but in the Smoky Mountains of T=
ennessee whar thar's more than one way to skeen a cat. Seriously, =
I don't think adding $5 to a $100 pot is going to hurt your sales any, =
but it will offset your credit card charges, it has mine.

I too take credit cards. Lois it's not a big city ment=
ality. My Shop is on an island out in the hinterlands. The ment=
ality isn't big city but the credit card companies are very aggre=
ssive in getting people to charge charge and charge. So everyone want=
s to use their credit card rather than write a check or pay in cash.

I have a contracted rate with them but that is really irrelevant=
since it all depends on the type of card the person has and I can't te=
ll that by looking at the card. You say it costs you $12 per month bu=
t Lois is that really what your costs are? I have a monthly fee of $6=
.00 to your $12. My rate is $6.00 less than yours but then&=
nbsp;there are the annual charges and then the ach fees and the actual tran=
saction fees. And the fees go on. If they get miles, cash back,=
reward points and so forth, I'm the one that pays for all of those per=
ks and the rates vary. I never know what a transaction costs me until=
I get my monthly statement. Do You? Potters are generall=
y poor in the business end of things and they think someone is doing them a=
favor charging fees for handling money. The general comment I hear i=
s it only costs me 3.5 percent. When I hear comments =
like that I know that the person isn't very business savvy. Only =
3.5% for what? What pray tell did they do for 3.5%.

Most people have either cash or a check but of course they prefer to c=
harge and get get those airline miles or reward points. They ha=
ve been well trained. The latest is something about me having t=
o secure the "security of cards" In other words it's an=
other thing that I will have to pay for....I haven't checked into it bu=
t from what I gather I will have to consult with someone to make sure =
that I am following safety measures for securing the customers private info=
rmation. How much will that cost me? I am a very small fish in =
the pond o.k. and I highly resent the constant increases in fees which is w=
hat all of this is about. You may feel great about taking cards but I=
feel like I am being screwed every time I take one.

I have never had a person give me a bad check and so checks even from&=
nbsp; out of state are not a problem for me. People from NY whip out =
an arm full of identification when they write a check and I say &quot=
;that's OK I'm fine, I don't need that" they are sur=
prised. I guess it is different in NY. Realistically, my experi=
ence is that people who buy pottery are honest people. I never take d=
own their driver's license or other id and knock on wood I have never b=
een stung. What is their driver's license going to do for you if&=
nbsp; the check is bad? Nothing.

So long story short, if I could figure out how not to take credit card=
s and not lose business, I would.

Just my opinion by someone who is being squeezed left and right betwee=
n credit card companies, shipping companies and suppliers.

" size=3D"2">I must agree with Larry. I know for a fact that I w=
ould have lost more than a few sales had I not taken credit cards. Ma=
ybe it's a big-city mentality. FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d">

by Tonya on sun 25 may 08

I too am a show newbie. My first show went well but I did have a couple =
of
people ask if I took credit, when I said no they happened to have their
check book with them or in the car. I agree with the others that in this =
day
and age it would be advantageous to have some means to accept credit =
cards.
I am considering using Pay Pal for my next show. Since I have a pay pal
account for my website store that I could take the customers information =
and
security code, etc. and then run the information through when I returned
home. It seems that the Manual Credit Card Machine's vary in price but =
some
are fairly inexpensive. The customer could sign at the show for =
validation.
Has anyone else tried this?

Tonya Hedgeman
www.bytonya.com=20
Always remember, who you are, where you came from, and pursue the dreams =
of
your heart.=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0
=A0

Christine Campbell on sun 25 may 08

Elizabeth wrote ...

> Is there any data on whether those numbers
are accurate tax returns or real income including
cash? I wonder if the desire for cash might be an
effort to avoid a papertrail for the taxman and
not such a love of convenience.
And if ALL income were actually factored in, would
potters still be last?

These statistics were generated from professional
artists selling wholesale and retail.

In every medium I would imagine there is some
inclination to barter and take cash under the counter
so I would suppose it would even out across the board.

As some of you know I write, lecture and teach the
basics of business to any pottery group that will
invite me. I think an understanding of simple business
basics is a crucial missing link in the chain to
potters' financial success.

We labor under so many false financial ideas that
hold us back. They are the simple basics of every
other business yet we seem to think we are in a
special group outside of the regular marketplace.

Earlier this year I was told that Business education
was LAST on the list of skills that potters thought
they could use.

KATHI LESUEUR on sun 25 may 08

On May 25, 2008, at 12:16 AM, Elizabeth Priddy wrote:

> Chris said.....
> Hmmm ... could this be why we are second last on the
> earnings scale for all crafts?
>
>
> _______________________________
>
>
> Is there any data on whether those numbers are accurate tax returns
> or real income including cash? I wonder if the desire for cash
> might be an effort to avoid a papertrail for the taxman and not
> such a love of convenience. And if ALL income were actually
> factored in, would potters still be last?>>>

There is always the temptation to hide cash. But, as one who has been
audited, I can say it's not worth the effort. When you are audited
the IRS doesn't have to prove you are cheating. YOu have to prove you
are not cheating. For me, everything goes into the bank and is
accounted for. Cash, checks. Expenses at shows are put on a dedicated
credit card that gets paid off every month. If you keep a little cash
out the IRS will question whether you kept out more than you said.
People get into trouble when their income and expenses don't add up.
How did you pay your mortgage, car payment, buy food, materials and
all that life requires on so little declared income. If it looks
fishy you'll have to show how you managed to do it. That's a
nightmare I don't want to encounter.

The IRS is targeting the small business owners because they are an
easier target, less likely to have lawyers on retainer. Declare
everything.

Kathi
>
>

Rachel Campbell on sun 25 may 08

Hi Keba!

Congrats! Very cool... RE: credit cards, I signed up with Propay.com,
which was fairly painless and cheap (like just $35 a year, and you don't pay
any fee if you don't use it in a given month-- plus setup was done
overnight)... Potters Council also offers a cheap way to accept cc's. As
for the equipment, I spent $15 on ebay on one of the manual knuckle-busters.
This means that I have to enter the info through the Propay website after
the sale, but I didn't have to invest big money into a machine. (right now
I'd rather come up with cash for a pug mill...) So total cost up front was
about $50... And you can make that back with one impulse purchase.

On the whole credit card thing, I=92m not really in a position to invest =
in
any equipment or the like, at least right now. I would like to have the
ability to take credit cards, but may just have to suffer through until =
I am
better established. I=92m amazed that the =93write up a bill=94 works =
for you
Kathy =96 I don=92t know if I could trust people that much! :-)

=20

I may look into the different set-ups for taking credit cards and see if =
I
can find something reasonable. Of course I will be checking the =
archives on
that too.